Bible Dictionary
LIST
List is an obsolete English form meaning “wills,” “desires,” or “chooses.” In older Bible translations it renders Greek words for wishing or deciding.
Definition
List is an obsolete English form meaning “to wish,” “to will,” or “to choose.” It is a variant of “lust” in the older sense of desire and was used by the King James Version to translate Greek words expressing willingness or intention.
Biblical Usage
The King James Version uses “list” in passages concerning what someone wishes or chooses, including Matthew 17:12, Mark 9:13, John 3:8, and James 3:4. Modern versions generally use “will” or related wording. John 3:8 preserves the familiar expression, “The wind bloweth where it listeth.”
Historical Background
The word is obsolete in modern English. In James 3:4, the English Revised Version renders it “will,” and the American Standard Revised Version makes the same change throughout.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>A variant of "lust" (see LUST), meaning "to wish," found in the King James Version of Mt 17:12 parallel Mr 9:13; Joh 3:8, as translation of thelo, and in Jas 3:4 as translation of boulomai. The last case the English Revised Version has rendered "will," and the American Standard Revised Version has made the same change throughout. The word is obsolete in modern English, but Joh 3:8 is still used proverbially, "The wind bloweth where it listeth."</p>